Stay With Me Through September

Fading into Fall near Glacier Park

Much to the chagrin of many of our guests, the vast majority of high-country cows, and nearly every newly-in-love twenty-something in the St. Mary Valley- Summer doesn't last. The season dwindles with the light as August comes to a close and the Rocky Mountain Front begins its occasionally abrupt segue into fall. The days get cooler, the evenings crisper, and by early September snow will begin to make its way back to the peaks to the west, and will occasionally visit us on our lawns and unsuspecting tomato plants. It's my favorite time of year.

Looking Glass Road and the Two Medicine Valley just south of the Park Cabin Co and are out of this world on the right day in September.

There are fewer folks to navigate around in the Park, and the animals are putting hard work into gorging themselves in preparation for winter. Elk bugle their silvered call up and down the valley, while the moose search the drying marshes for a mate before winter.

Watch out for moose! This bull was patrolling near the current site of the Park Cabin Company a few falls ago.

Nearly all the trails are still open in September, and the haze from far-off forest fires has generally been knocked down by the incoming cold fronts. (For current and accurate updates on the current west-side fires, check out our good friends Glacier Guides and Montana Raft on social media.)

What's Open On The East Side of Glacier Park In September?

Many of the local restaurants and businesses close down around mid-September, but there are a few hardy souls that keep their doors open year-round. Duck Lake Lodge and the Leanin' Tree serve up delicious grub in every season. The St. Mary Grocery Store has limited fresh food available, but there is always enough to pick from to cook a meal in our Cosley or Sunrift Cabins. Best of all, the park is always open!

We are planning to do some special pricing for the start of the "shoulder season" so be sure to follow us on Facebook or Instagram if you're looking for a deal this September!

Hiking in September

Some of the finest hikes we’ve ever done on the east side were accomplished in September, with nary another group to be seen

The View from Chief Mountain House

The sunsets are seldom more dramatic than those in the fall as the sun begins its slow journey to set south of Chief Mountain

Fall near Babb

Even the rare cloudy day is offset by the brilliant changing colors of the Quaking Aspen

The First Hint of Color

The Aspen first develop the barest hint of yellow before going full on blazing yellow-orange.

The Winter WInds

Fall brings the first Chinook arches to the St. Mary Valley as the winter winds and snows develop over the mountains.

If you need any more encouragement, listen to the sage words of local legend Corb Lund: